Upcoming Día de los Muertos events

Honor those who have passed at these Día de los Muertos celebrations

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is the Mexican celebration of death.

Morbid as that may sound, the festivities are joyous, filled with candles, vibrant marigolds, sweet breads and brightly colored skulls made out of sugar.

Through the years, the holiday honoring deceased family members with altars, poems and songs has been embraced by more than just Latin communities.

Though several Día de los Muertos events have already happened throughout the county, the official holiday begins tonight, and you’ll find an authentic celebration at Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos.

The main attraction, however, is the more than 30 altars throughout Old Town dedicated to everyone from the Whaley family to pop-culture icons. Maps for the self-guided tour are available from area businesses and information booths.

Visitors will also find a public altar at the El Campo cemetery, in which people are invited to bring photos of loved ones, yellow and orange marigolds, or any other offerings.

And at 6 p.m. Friday, there will be a public candlelight procession from Old Town State Historic Park, down San Diego Avenue to the cemetery. Along the way, you’ll hear people singing “Las Calaveras,” the procession song.

Further north you’ll find the 17th annual Day of the Dead celebration at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

From 6 to 9 tonight, guests will be able to create their own offerings in honor of loved ones, watch ballet folklorico performances, participate in art projects for kids and nibble on Mexican sweet bread and hot chocolate. The evening also includes free admission to the Center’s current museum exhibit, “Heart & Soul of Mexico,” which features works by muralist Raúl Anguiano and photographer Mario Castillo.

Those looking for an adventure in Mexico can reserve a spot on Turista Libre’s Graveyard Tour on Saturday.

You’ll visit Tijuana’s oldest cemetery and see the resting place of its unofficial folk saint, Juan Soldado. A Tijuana historian who specializes in urban legends will be on hand to tell Soldado’s controversial tale. Stay for a guided tour of the city that includes shopping, lunch and a cerveza or two.

The tour leaves at 1 p.m. Saturday. Meet the tour guide at the San Ysidro pedestrian border crossing. Tickets are $35. For details. see turistalibre.com.